The One Show host Christine Bleakley shed tears of relief as she completed her water ski adventure across the English Channel this week.

Braving fierce ocean waves and water temperatures of minus 4 degrees, the pretty brunette made it across the 22 miles in just one hour and 40 minutes.

The challenge - which is raising money for Sport Relief - was far from smooth-sailing though.

"Weather conditions were far from ideal for a water ski crossing with the wind chill temperature below freezing and strong winds making Christine’s challenge extremely difficult," a spokesperson for Sport Relief reveals.

"But thanks to her physical and mental determination she fought the elements to stay afloat, only falling off her skis eight times, and managing to stay upright for a maximum 15 minutes in one go."

Co-host Adrian Chiles was on hand to support Christine from the boat.

Helping to keep her spirits up, he cheekily joked: "We've got some make-up waiting on the beach because you're looking s***!"